I'm not going to respond to all three of your comments that were left in hindsight because simply the other two rehash what you already claimed with little information that would change the situation; however, I will address some of this response right here (and the referral to the desert).

Having ready access to something and not having the money to buy those things are both obstacles to "just doing it bigger." It's clear that while you may have been "in hydroponics for three decades" that you must not have had a situation where you simply don't have access to the resources necessary to "go bigger." Be it access to the pipe itself or the funds to purchase the pipe. Now, before you come back with a smartass wink about the cost of pipe: Many times in the circumstances that this would be suiting for those people aren't buying the pipe. Perhaps it's been donated. Perhaps it's been salvaged. There are more circumstances that could absolutely justify them not having access to 3-4" pipe. Your arrogance comes not from your experience but your inability to see outside of the little box you've created for yourself. I'd venture that you're a real treat to teach things to because you likely figure you have all the answers already.

Now, onto the desert (and your lack of understanding of analogy it would seem): I was using the desert as an example of being separated from this ready source of resources that you seem to have and think everyone else does... As you simply have no grasp of the statement I've made (and you've now made this clear with both the smartass responses as well as your attempt at serious dialog) it's clear that carrying on a conversation with you will be futile. Not only do you not understand the concept of not having access to things but you do not understand the concept of realizing that your arrogance and "know it already" attitude really are likely preventing you from experiencing anything but doing what other people have done... Your mentality would keep everyone from inventing, experimenting, solving problems that you don't personally have.

Also regarding the desert: Please don't be so ignorant... The Aussies have been a fore-runner in using hydroponics and aquaponics for a very long time and are very firmly planted in desert... guess what? They run large grow beds. Had you taken the time to explore the problem that the solution resolves instead of nay-saying it you may have learned that not all problems are problems you personally will experience. I suppose we should just stop pollution reduction, keep cutting down those rainforests, etc. because in the end it's not going to affect you but someone else, right? Of course not. The mentality would be ridiculous, arrogant, and ignorant.

You're exhibiting what's called an intellectual fallacy here.... You're coming from a false sense of authority, and quite frankly it's tired and worn out. I would suggest you open your eyes to potential that you don't indeed have the answers to everything, that your answers aren't always applicable to every situation, and that there may actually be people out there that either know more about the solution than you... or more about the problem at hand than you.